Thomas ash



T. ASH.

BOOT CLEANER; No.185, 278. Patented Dec.12, 1876.

Unrrnn gramsa Germain.

THOMAS ASH, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOT-CLEANERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185.278. dated December 12, 1876; application filed September 27, 1876.

To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ASH, of Trenton, county of Mercer, and State of New J ersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot and Shoe Scrapers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is a perspective view of the completed device; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section on the line .70 y of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a perspective view, showing one of the grooved Standards and the bottom and one side scraper in position for use; and Fig. 4 a perspective view of a detached side block carry-ing a brush.

Like letters in all the figures refer to corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to produce a cheap and efficient boot and shoe scraper, having certain parts thereof easily removable and interchangeable for purposes of cleaning, repairing, or adapting the device to perform its work in a thorough manner, to accomplish which it (the invention) consists in certain peculiarities of construction and arrangements of parts, to be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

The several parts of my improved scraper are mounted upon a suitable foundation, A, from which the uprights B B extend. These uprights are grooved, as at 0, to receive and hold the scraping or cleaning contrivances d, which may be in the shape of the ordinary scrapers or brushes, and which are preferably mounted in and removable from the blocks or pieces D E F G, intended to support the same and give a finished appearance to the front of the completed device.

The blocks D E F G are grooved to receive the scrapers d, and provided with tongues t, which fit snugly into the grooves of the uprights, or into those of the adjacent blocks, according to location, and this fitting should be so regulated as to permit the removal of said blocks when desired, but to avoid their being displaced during the operation of cleaning the boots or shoes. If found necessary, suitable bolts may be employed to hold them in place.

The sides H I K are attached to the foundation, and also to the uprights, completing the box. The cross-piece D is located above the foundation a sufficient distance to permit the insertion of a drawer or slide, S, which catches and holds the matter brushed or scraped ofl' the shoes, and which may be removed Without disturbing the Whole device, and without causing dust to arise therefrom.

A suitable cover may be placed upon the box; but I prefer to omit it, since, by leaving the top open, the device may be used to receive Umbrellas, the drip from which will be Caught by the drawer S.

With each cleaner I propose to furnish a set of brushes and scrapers, which may be interchanged as desired. The brushes will ordinarily be preferred for cleansing the shoes or boots of snow and dust, and the scrapers to remove clay and mud.

It will seldom be necessary to remove or change the bottom scraper, as it is generally preferred in that location to the brush. It is,

therefore, in the present illustration, suitably secured by two screws, which may be removed, 1f desired.

The side and top pieces E, F, and G are' easily taken out by simply elevating them, and the brushes or scrapers changed as desired in the blocks, when said brushes or scrapers are made removable therefrom. When, however, the brushes or scrapers are permanently secured to the blocks, it will be necessary to insert new blocks.

It is obvious that any ornamental form may be given the device, and that it may be made of wood or metal, though I prefer to cast it of iron. It can be easily and cheaply made, and fulfills all the objects of the invention, as previously stated.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the removable blocks E F G, the removablecleaners,'arranged and Operating snbstantially as set fOrth.

2. The uprights B, provided with grooyes c, in combination With blocks E F G, having tongucs t, and cleaners, snbstantialiy as described.

3. The draWer OI' slide S, in combination with the Open-top Cleaner constructed and Operating substantially as- 'and fof the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing' I havehereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ASH. Witnesses:

'JOHN W. MOODY,

FRIDRICH MILLER. 

